Borrelia burgdorferi, a possible cause of Bell's palsy?

The etiology of Bell's palsy (B.P.) is as yet unknown. In 7 out of 20 patients with B.P. we observed significantly elevated antibodies against Borrelia burgdoferi (IgM and IgG) by means of an indirect Immunofluorescence test (IIFT). Controls were 50 healthy subjects and 25 patients with various neurological disorders. All were of comparable age and sex, with similar residential backgrounds. In this group no significant titer of antibodies against B.burgdorferi were detectable.